Beneteau First 44.7 vs Bavaria 42 — Comparison
Bavaria 42
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 44.7 | Bavaria 42 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Bavaria |
| Year | 1999–2004 | 2003–2008 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | J&J Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.48 m (44.2 ft) | 12.99 m (42.6 ft) |
| LWL | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) | 11.29 m (37.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.12 m (13.5 ft) | 4.06 m (13.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,200 kg (20,283 lbs) | 9,300 kg (20,503 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,300 kg (7,275 lbs) | 2,900 kg (6,393 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 90.0 m² (969 ft²) | 79.0 m² (850 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 44.7 and Bavaria 42 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 44.7 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the Bavaria 42 is a 2000s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The Beneteau First 44.7 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Bavaria 42 was designed by J&J Design.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 44.7 measures 13.48m (44.2ft) overall with a beam of 4.12m, compared to the Bavaria 42 at 12.99m (42.6ft) with a 4.06m beam. The Beneteau First 44.7 is 0.49m longer than the Bavaria 42. The Bavaria 42 displaces approximately 1% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 44.7 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.82 and 90.0 m² of sail area. The Bavaria 42, with an SA/D of 18.15 and 79.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 44.7 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 44.7 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The Bavaria 42 has a comfort ratio of 15.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 35.9% for the Beneteau First 44.7 and 31.2% for the Bavaria 42, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 44.7 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The Bavaria 42 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Bavaria 42 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The Beneteau First 44.7 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: Beneteau First 44.7 · Bavaria 42